First pics of M&S's 1m sq ft shed at EMDC unveiled

The first pictures of Marks & Spencer's mammoth 1m sq ft facility at the East Midlands Distribution Centre (EMDC) in Castle Donnington, have been unveiled today.

As the biggest distribution warehouse to be built in England during 2011, the facility has been designed to service the retailer's online customer-base. At half a mile long and 100ft high, it covers a 60-acre site and is expected to employ 1,000 people when it goes live in autumn 2012.

Clowes Developments - the developer behind the project - has turned the former power station site around and opened up a disused rail head in less than 12 months - which is no mean feat. The building has now been handed over to M&S for the fit out.

FHP partner John Proctor advised Clowes, he says the development is part of a growing trend for major retailers to consolidate distribution in a smaller number of major regional operations to improve retail efficiency in this difficult economy. If this is indeed the case, 2012 should bring more much-needed large scale prelets...